A resident concerned about data centers locating in the area shared sample ordinances and other information with Tamaqua Borough Council recently.

“I have spent the past six weeks researching the influx and operating methods of data centers and I have some concerns,” said Michael Polyak of Tamaqua.

He noted that while he is not an opponent or proponent of data centers, he knows that all legitimate businesses must be permitted under zoning.

“As to that, banning data centers would not be prudent and the borough would find itself on the losing end of an expensive legal battle,” he said. “However, that does not mean there are not steps we can take to alleviate concerns and set parameters for data centers.”

Polyak presented a sample ordinance that he said could be used as a guideline for Tamaqua and the other three municipalities in the Eastern Schuylkill Regional Planning Commission.

The commission handles zoning for the borough and the townships of Rush, Walker and Schuylkill, and began holding regular monthly meetings earlier this year to revise its zoning plans.

The sample ordinance, Polyak noted, designates data centers as permitted under conditional/exceptional use.

“I think this would alleviate many concerns” including water usage, traffic, building heights and noise, he said.

Polyak also alluded to a curative amendment that gives municipalities about six months to address any inefficiencies in zoning ordinances.

In the commission’s case, current zoning did not allow usage for data centers, warehouses and vacation rentals. Each of the municipalities adopted the curative amendment.

As for the sample ordinance, Polyak suggested that it could be tweaked to fit the area’s best interests.

“I believe it offers many protections that the current zoning does not,” he said. “I am hoping that council would then consider discussing this with other members of the ESRP and implementing any agreed upon conditional use language into zoning during the 180 day period.”

Solicitor Anthony Odorizzi thanked Polyak for the information and said it will be forwarded to the commission.

“If there is one line in there that helps everybody? Fantastic,” Odorizzi said.

Once the commission revamps the zoning ordinance, it will be voted upon by each municipal body.

“The ESRP has met in May and June and hopefully by the July meeting of ESRP, the goal is to come out of that with a final version,” Odorizzi said.